2-Day Hobbiton, Rotorua & Waitomo Caves Tour from Auckland

Travel relaxed in spacious seats as you uncover Hobbiton’s hidden corners and more

A 2-day guided tour from Auckland covering Hobbiton Movie Set, Rotorua's geothermal sites and Maori culture, and Waitomo Caves, with hotel pickup, overnight accommodation, and most meals included. Day one takes you through the Waikato farmland to the Shire film locations, then to Te Puia for a 90-minute thermal and cultural tour, ending with a traditional hangi dinner and evening concert. Day two offers a free morning before heading to Waitomo to boat through glow-worm caves, then returning to Auckland.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Auckland to Hobbiton and Rotorua

• Hotel pickups from Auckland
• Travel to Hobbiton through Waikato region
• Guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set
• Complimentary drink at Green Dragon Inn
• Travel to Rotorua
• Lunch at Te Puia
• 90-minute guided tour of Te Puia
• Visit Kiwi House at Te Puia
• Evening concert and Hangi meal
• Overnight stay in Rotorua

Day 2: Waitomo Caves and Return to Auckland

• Continental breakfast at hotel
• Free morning for optional activities
• Travel to Waitomo Caves
• Walk inside Waitomo Caves
• Boat ride on underground river
• Return to Auckland and tour ends

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup as early as 6:25am, driving through dairy farms and the Hauraki Plains to reach Hobbiton on a 1,250-acre sheep farm. A guide walks you through the actual film set where the Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and other structures from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were built, explaining how the Waikato farmland became Middle-Earth. The tour ends at the Green Dragon Inn with a complimentary drink before heading to Rotorua for the night.

On arrival in Rotorua, you stop at Te Puia for lunch and a 90-minute guided tour of the geothermal reserve and Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you see traditional carving and can visit one of the region's kiwi breeding houses. That evening, Mitai Tours collects you from your hotel for a hangi, a traditional earth-cooked meal, and a live concert, then returns you afterward. Day two gives you a free morning in Rotorua before the drive to Waitomo Caves, where you walk into the cave system and take a small boat ride on an underground river beneath thousands of glow-worms, learning about the caves' geology and history. After Waitomo, the drive back to Auckland ends the tour.

Groups stay under 12 people, and the vehicles have fewer seats than standard to avoid cramped conditions. Hotel pickup covers central Auckland. Pickups outside the city centre can be arranged for a small fee. Lunch and dinner are included on day one, breakfast on day two, and lunch on day two: all prepared in professional kitchens and served in restaurants or cafés, though occasionally meals may be picnic-style. The tour runs regardless of group size, so departures are guaranteed.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from central Auckland.
• overnight 3-4 star accommodation in Rotorua.
• admission to Hobbiton Movie Set, Te Puia and Waitomo Caves.
• lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two.
• 90-minute guided tour of Te Puia's thermal reserve and Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.
• kiwi house visit at Te Puia.
• complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
• traditional hangi dinner and evening concert on day one.
• small-boat ride through Waitomo Caves beneath glow-worms.
• live English-speaking guide throughout.

Options for this experience

2 options

Twin Share AccommodationGuide in English · 06:25Includes pickup

Single AccommodationGuide in English · Available from 28 Sep 2027Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:25

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (5 to 14 years) · Infant (2 to 4 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 72 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by FlexiToursNZ

Is this one for you?Groups stay under 12 people with spacious seating, so you travel comfortably without being crowded: worth the extra cost if you spend two days in a vehicle and want room to move. The fixed itinerary and included meals mean no planning meals or transport between sites, though the free morning in Rotorua lets you add your own activity if you want.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 14 years); Infant (2 to 4 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 72 h before the start.

How much time do you actually spend walking around the Hobbiton set?

The Hobbiton Movie Set tour is guided and covers the full 1,250-acre farm with views to the Kaimai Ranges, taking in the Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, the Mill and other structures built for the films. The guide explains how the site was created and transformed for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and the tour concludes with a complimentary drink at the inn.

What is Te Puia and why does it take 90 minutes?

Te Puia is a geothermal reserve in Rotorua rich in thermal activity and home to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, where traditional carving and other Maori crafts are practiced and taught. The 90-minute guided tour covers both the thermal features and the institute, and you can also visit one of Rotorua's kiwi breeding houses located there.

Do you need to be fit to handle two days of driving and walking?

The tour suits all physical fitness levels. The itinerary involves significant driving time between Auckland, Rotorua and Waitomo, and walking through the Hobbiton set and Waitomo Caves, but no strenuous climbing or endurance is required. The operator notes the tour is not suitable for children under 2 years old due to the amount of travel time.

What happens on the free morning in Rotorua on day two?

Day two begins with free time in Rotorua before pickup for the drive to Waitomo Caves. You can explore the central area and lakefront of Rotorua on your own, though lunch is not included that day, so you'll need to arrange your own meal before the afternoon pickup.

Is the hangi dinner included, and how does the evening work?

Yes, the hangi, a traditional earth-cooked meal, and the evening concert are included on day one. Mitai Tours collects you from your accommodation after your free time in Rotorua, takes you to the venue, and returns you to your hotel after the meal and entertainment.

Can you choose a single room or do you have to share accommodation?

You choose at checkout between single accommodation or twin share for the overnight stay in Rotorua. Both options are 3-4 star hotels in the central area.